NOTES: God is Near, Part 3, Swimming Upstream
Sermon: God is Near 3- Swimming Up Stream
Date: Sunday, September 15,2024
Text: Matthew 5:2–12 (ESV)
“2 And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. 5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. 6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. 7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. 8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. 9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. 10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
Let’s Connect:
Join the salmon swimming up stream:
Kingdom of Heaven vs. kingdoms of earth:
Text Explained:
Sermon on the Mount: disciples (talmidim) drawing near:
Blessing (Hebrew concept) of the Good Life (Deut. 8:6-10):
Jewish hearers would have assigned future promises to the time when the Messiah would come and establish His Kingdom on the earth.
Jesus introduces that these blessings (beatitudes) have come now, through Him as the Messiah.
“Theirs is the kingdom of heaven” frames these blessings. (5:3, 10).
Review of the 8 Beatitudes:
Do they seem antithetical to the “good life?” Why?
Jesus reveals that the Kingdom of Heaven has come as the Great Reversal to what the kingdom of earth falsely believes is the ‘good life.’ (Rom 14:17; Rev. 11:15)
Through Jesus we are now citizens of that heavenly Kingdom. ((Hebrews 12:28–29;
Phil. 3:20-4:1)
The Talmud: "Do not be daunted by the enormity of the world's grief. Do justly now, love mercy now, walk humbly now. You are not obligated to complete the work, but neither are you free to abandon it.”
The Take Out:
Untethering from the kingdoms of earth and learning the ways of the Kingdom of Heaven
By the Holy Spirit
Through Scripture
With fellow believers
Our Challenge:
Keep swimming upstream!
Re-animate your love for the Kingdom of Heaven.
2 Timothy 4:5–8, “5 As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. 6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.”